Story Reader / Interlude / Flawless / Story
Babylonia, F.O.S. Military Command College, Connection Lab
Verification successful. Langston.
Connection Pod activated.
Establishing simulated connection.
Consciousness Deviance Rate is 31.217%.
Records deleted.
Establishing simulated connection.
Consciousness Deviance Rate is 30.316%.
Records deleted.
Establishing simulated connection.
Records deleted.
Establishing simulated connection...
Establishing simulated connection...
Establishing simulated connection...
In the dark space, all Langston can see is his own reflection and the warning screen, blinking in red.
The connection rate doesn't increase no matter what he does. He poured his heart and soul into this, following the plan, but received nothing in return.
Without results, the whole process meant nothing.
He must become Smith.
Retry.
Confirm.
Reestablishing connection.
Talent.
Repeat.
Fight like that of a hero—!
Astonishing courage—! Everlasting fame—!
Consciousness Deviance Rate is 11.742%.
Perfection.
Hard work.
The pain bites at his nerves, rippling outward.
His skull is trembling, ears ringing, teeth chattering.
Consciousness Deviance Rate is 3.17%.
W A R N I N G
S E C O N D W A R N I N G
Memory overload.
Please break the memory connection immediately. If you exceed your connection threshold, memory loss may occur!
Pain.
More pain.
And then he gets used to it.
Smith. The perfect monster. The only correct answer.
A Smith... What is a Smith?
A mixture: A material made up of two or more different Chemical substances which are not chemically combined.
A concrete object made of materials and information, whose borders are continuously constructed and reconstructed.
You're awake.
Langston wakes up on the bed of a first-class private ward to a doctor tending to him. On the communications screen, his father—Mr. Smith—flashes into sight.
Langston instinctively extends his hand, and then, suddenly, as if realizing something, retracts it and bows.
Mr. Smith.
Langston, how are you feeling?
Very well... I can try again.
What a waste of time.
I have to talk to your doctor, just the two of us.
You heard Langston, Doctor. He said he's fine.
...According to the medical system examination, all physical signs of the patient are normal. His activity should not be affected.
That's it.
On my report, I'll write "the exterior damage has been processed with medical equipment. Luckily the connection was just a test. Though the damage to his consciousness is irreversible, his daily activities should not be impeded."
That's right.
